Date: July 2, 2014
Contact: Patricia Butts, 334-727-6390
White Hall, AL – The National Park Service is preparing a foundation document for planning and management at the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. The trail would like to invite the public to join in this effort. A foundation document involves revisiting the national historic trail’s core mission and significance, its most important resources and values, and the interpretive themes that tell the trail’s important stories. Although the document is not a decision-making document and does not include actions or management strategies, it describes a shared understanding of what is most important about the trail.
In this capacity, the foundation document will provide the underlying guidance for future management and planning decisions at the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. Preparing the foundation document is an important step for considering the park’s future planning and study needs.
All park units in the national park system will have a foundation document by 2016, the 100-year anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service. The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is part of a nationwide effort to complete foundation documents for all 401 park units in the park system.
“As stewards of the National Park Service, it is our privileged to preserve, protect and interpret this story to ensure it will forever be remembered. The community’s collaboration in the process is invaluable,” stated Sandra L. Taylor, Superintendent of Tuskegee Institute NHS, Tuskegee Airmen NHS and Selma to Montgomery NHT.
The National Park Service invites the public to play a role by sharing their thoughts on what is most important about the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, and to help identify its most pressing challenges and its greatest opportunities. The feedback will allow the trail to take these thoughts into consideration as it prepares the foundation document. One may submit feedback by visiting the park planning website for the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/selmatomontgomeryfoundation.
Visitors to this website will be able to submit responses to questions about the trail’s significance, challenges, and opportunities. Comments submitted by email or using the park planning website will be most helpful if received by July 31, 2014.
The public is also invited to attend an open house, scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2014 and Monday, July 14, 2014. This open house will be an informal forum to introduce the foundation document process and hear public feedback. National Park Service planning staff will be available to record your answers to questions concerning key aspects about the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. Open House location and times are as follows:
Saturday, July 12, 2014 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lowndes Interpretive Center 7002 US Highway 80, P.O. Box 595, Hayneville, AL 36040
Saturday, July 12, 2014 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Selma Location 19 Washington Street, Selma, AL 36703
Monday, July 14, 2014 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. Montgomery Location City Hall Auditorium 103 N. Perry Street, Montgomery AL 36104
Directions:
Lowndes Interpretive Center
From Montgomery, AL – Follow U.S. Hwy. 80 West 25 miles to White Hall, AL. The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located at 7002 U.S. Hwy. 80 West, in White Hall, AL.
Selma Location
From Atlanta, GA – Follow I-85 S to Montgomery, AL. Merge onto I-65 S. and turn off at exit 167 to U.S. Hwy. 80 W. Continue for approximately 51 miles to Selma, AL. Travel across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Turn right on Water Ave. Take the 1st left onto Washington St.
Montgomery Location
From I-85 South - Take I-85 South to Union Street. Take Union Street exit, Exit 1. Turn slight left to take the ramp toward Perry Street/Downtown. Turn right onto South Perry Street. End at 103 North Perry Street Montgomery, AL. (Parking decks nearby)
From I-65 – Take I-65 South to I-85 North. Take Court Street exit, Exit 1. Stay straight to go onto Arba Street. Turn left onto South Perry Street. End at 103 N Perry St Montgomery, AL 36104-3728
www.nps.gov
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov
